Packers' schedule looks different, but this game vs. Buccaneers sure doesn't - Packers.com

GREEN BAY – Strength of schedule is a funny metric in the NFL, and it sure can change quickly.

When the league's 2022 schedule was released back in May, the typical exercise of ranking teams' strength of schedule based on the opponents' winning percentages from the previous season placed the Packers at 22nd – in the bottom third in terms of difficulty.

The combined .478 winning percentage of Green Bay's 17 opponents also ranked as the fourth easiest schedule of the 14 playoff teams from 2021. The biggest reason for that low number was nobody else in the NFC North finished above .500 last season, and division opponents count for six of the 17 games.

However much that meant before the season started is debatable at best. Now? It means even less.

Because two games into the new season, there are six 2-0 teams in the NFL, and five of them are on the Packers' schedule, beginning Sunday at Tampa Bay. None of the five foes – Buccaneers, Giants, Bills, Eagles, Dolphins – visit Lambeau Field, either. Four of the games are on the road, and the Giants game is in London.

If that doesn't take the traditional strength-of-schedule metric and toss it in the garbage, nothing does. Granted, a lot could change regarding the 2-0 Eagles between now and the Packers' visit to Philly in late November. Same with the 2-0 Dolphins between now and Christmas.

But that slate of opponents over the next three months also doesn't include the defending Super Bowl champion Rams (1-1), last year's AFC No. 1 playoff seed Titans (0-2), or a Vikings team (1-1) that beat the Packers two weeks ago.

The point is, with teams like the Giants and Dolphins off to surprising 2-0 starts, and with the Bills not just winning but dominating two of last year's best teams, there's a lot less to like about this Packers slate than at first glance in the spring.

None of that matters right now, of course. The Buccaneers are top of mind, and with Tom Brady backed by one of the league's best defenses, the Packers and Aaron Rodgers have known all along this game would be a major challenge.

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https://www.packers.com/news/packers-schedule-looks-different-but-this-game-vs-bucs-sure-doesn-t

2022-09-24 13:12:17Z
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